Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with sportspersons, fitness experts and influencers to mark the one-year anniversary of Fit India Movement and also launched the Fit India Age Appropriate Fitness Protocols.
The PM also coined a new mantra for a fit India: Fitness ki dose, aadha ghanta roz; everyone should play some kind of sports or fitness activity for at least half an hour, he added.
Among those who participated in the virtual interaction are model and actor Milind Soman, India men’s cricket team captain Virat Kohli and nutritionist Rutuja Diwekar. They shared their thoughts and tips from their fitness and wellness journey as the prime minister underlined the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Paralympic javelin gold medallist Devendra Jhajharia and Jammu and Kashmir footballer Afshan Ashiq also spoke during the event.
“I am glad that healthy eating is becoming a part of our way of living. Becoming fit is not as difficult as most think. It just requires a little discipline,” PM Modi said. He also urged everyone to inspire one another to stay fit.
“Families that play together, stay together,” he added.
While speaking to Soman, who promotes running and fitness, Modi said the model-actor’s mother had inspired him with regard to his own fitness goals.
Soman stressed that one does not need much and can stay fit with what they have the mental strength to maintain fitness.
“Fitness knows no limit,” he said, adding that given the right motivation, one can walk hundreds of kilometres.
“We can become fit without supplements and energy drinks,” he further said.
Jhajharia, meanwhile, spoke about the importance of not giving up if one faces hardships. Ashiq said she would want to be an inspiration to all women in India.
Diwekar focused on the importance of eating healthy home-cooked meals.
“We should not lose health, but weight. We should eat home-made food and avoid packaged food. This is the secret to good health,” she said.
Kohli said that fitness is priority for him and he doesn’t like to skip his workout sessions even if it meant missing practice.
Other participants including Swami Shivadhyanam Saraswathi and Mukul Kanitkar also spoke during the interaction.
